An overview of the olympics.

Essay by joek15Junior High, 9th gradeA-, January 2006

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The Olympic Games are an international sports competition. In the Olympics, athletes play in many types of games. Some athletes compete in the Summer Olympics. Some compete in the Summer Olympics. The Olympic Games are very old and have a very interesting history.

The first Olympic Games were held in Greece in ancient times. They probably began in the sixth century B.C. The contests are held every four years in the summer. The first games lasted for only one day. There was only one contest. It was a short race. Only Greek men were allowed to run in the race. Women were not allowed to watch the games either, or to be anywhere near the gaming area. Other events were added later, swimming. But the ancient games were stopped in the fourth century, A.D., when Greece was ruled by Rome.

The Olympics were started again in the nineteenth century, after Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a Frenchman, who later being recognized as the Father of Modern Olympics, suggested that it would be good to have the game again, but not just for Greek People.

De Coubertin organized a meeting in 1894. Representatives from nine countries went to the meeting in Paris. They agreed to start the Olympic Games again in Athens, Greece, in 1896.

The Olympic Games have been held every four years since 1896. Three times, the games were not held because of a world war. There were no games in 1916, 1940, and 1944. The first competition in modern times was held in Athens, but not all of the games have been held there. The Olympic Games are held in many different cities around the world. The 2008 Olympic will be held in Beijing, China.

Baron de Coubertin also started a committee to run the Olympics.